SL Banetsu Monogatari

SL Banetsu Monogatari

Railway of forests, water, and adventure, fun for the whole family

Features

Railway of Forests, Water, and Adventure

SL Banetsu Monogatari has been in regular operation since April 29, 1999 on the Ban-etsu-West Line with a restored SL (C57-180).
Enjoy the picturesque scenery of each season on the Ban-etsu-West Line, "Railway of Forests, Water, and Adventure."

Retro style car interior

The Series 12 rolling stock was modified for the passenger cars. Wood patterns and soft colors create an old-style atmosphere evocative of the beloved Taisho era (1912–1926).

Seats

Car No.1

Okojo Observation Car

Car No. 1 is a free space for children to play, "Okojo Room" and "Okojo Observatory" for Adult. Please enjoy the "Stoat Observation Vehicle" that the whole family can enjoy.

Car No.4

Observation Car

The panoramic observation room in Car no. 4 provides a sense of spaciousness, allowing you to fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Ban-etsu-West Line.
In addition, there are commemorative boarding stamps and a mailbox for sending postcards from inside the train.

Car No.7

Green Car seats

Seating 30 people, the Green Car has reclining seats that rotate.
The layout of each row is three seats, with one seat on one side of the aisle and two on the other, and each row is comfortably separated from the others on par with the standard Green Car arrangement.

Routes & Timetables

SL Banetsu Monogatari route map
Trains Routes
SL Banetsu Monogatari (Outbound) Aizu-Wakamatsu - Niitsu
SL Banetsu Monogatari (Inbound) Niitsu - Aizu - Wakamatsu
Timetables & Calendar
(English Only)

Tickets & Reservations

To board the train, you will need a seat ticket as well as a basic fare ticket (or pass).

SL Banetsu Monogatari is a train with all reserved seats. In addition to a boarding ticket, you will need seat ticket.

Pattern 1

Basic Fare Ticket

Reserved Seat Ticket

  • Making a new purchase online Basic Fare Ticket icon Reserved Seat Ticket icon

    1. Go to the JR-EAST Train ReservationOpens in a new window  site and press "Purchase tickets."

    2. Press “Joyful Trains” under the Ride Joyful Trains section.

    3. Select the train you want to ride.

    4. Choose the model, seat type (Green Car, box seats) and route for the train you selected.

    5. Press “Reserve Now” to proceed to the reservation details.

    6. Enter the date you want to travel, the departure station, the arrival station, and the number of adults and children riding, and press " Reserve Now."

    7. Choose from the available train times, check off the box by the train you want to ride, and press “Select.”

      To choose a different time, select "Previous train" or "Next train" to view the times of the trains before and after the current one.

    8. Check the purchase details, and if everything is correct, press "Buy Tickets" to proceed to the purchase screen.

    9. To make a purchase, you need to create a JR-EAST Train Reservation account.

Pattern 2

JR EAST PASS

Reserved Seat Ticket
(No Charge)

If you are using a JR EAST rail pass such as the JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR EAST PASS within the free area, you can reserve reserved seat without paying an additional fee.

Please reserve reserved seat (free of charge) at the ticket office or online.

JR EAST PASS icon

Recommended passes for riding the SL Banetsu Monogatari

If you have one of the following rail passes and are using it within the unlimited travel area, you can ride free of additional charges.
You need to purchase a seat ticket in advance to ride.Reserve your seat ticket in advance for free at any purchase location or on the JR-East Train Reservation website.